Finnish authorities have launched an investigation into potential sabotage of an underwater electrical cable disrupted on Christmas Day, linked to the tanker Eagle S, flagged in the Cook Islands. The European Union is cooperating with Finland and considering sanctions against Russian vessels. This incident reflects a larger trend of similar disruptions in the Baltic Sea amid tensions from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, raising concerns about security and the potential for hybrid warfare.
Investigation Launched into Underwater Cable Sabotage
Authorities in Finland have initiated a formal investigation into potential sabotage linked to a tanker believed to have contributed to the disruption of an underwater electrical cable connecting Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day. The vessel, known as the Eagle S and flagged in the Cook Islands, is suspected of being part of a so-called ‘ghost fleet’. Finnish police have reported that the tanker was intercepted and escorted by a patrol boat approximately 30 kilometers from Helsinki.
According to Sami Rakshit, the director general of Finnish customs, the Eagle S was transporting unleaded gasoline that had been loaded at a Russian port. This revelation was made during a press conference on Thursday, where he emphasized the significance of the ongoing investigation.
EU’s Response and Broader Implications
In light of the allegations, the European Union has expressed its commitment to collaborating with Finnish authorities and has threatened to impose additional sanctions on Russian vessels. The European Commission, alongside the EU’s foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, condemned any intentional damage to critical infrastructure, highlighting the threats posed by the ‘ghost fleet’ to both security and environmental stability.
This incident is part of a larger pattern of similar occurrences in the Baltic Sea since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Experts and political leaders have categorized these actions as elements of a ‘hybrid war’ between Russia and Western nations, particularly in a region with significant NATO presence. In November, two telecommunications cables were severed in Swedish waters, with scrutiny falling on a Chinese-flagged bulk carrier that was in the vicinity at the time.
Following the December 25 disruption of the EstLink 2 cable, which did not affect Finland’s electricity supply, authorities quickly turned their attention to the Eagle S. The Finnish coast guard and armed forces were dispatched to assess the situation, with the National Bureau of Investigation confirming that the crew had been questioned and evidence collected.
Markku Hassinen from the border guard noted that the absence of the vessel’s anchors raised suspicions of unusual activity. This was reminiscent of an earlier incident in November 2023, when damage to an underwater gas pipeline was attributed to the anchor of another vessel.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo described the EstLink 2 failure as a serious matter and reinforced the commitment of the authorities to take decisive action against any threats in national waters. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the frequency of damage to such sensitive infrastructure raises questions about the nature of these incidents, implying that they may not be mere accidents.